The Best Bamboo Sheets of 2018

Bamboo sheets have been gaining in popularity over the last couple of years - and for good reason. Keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter, bamboo sheets are sustainable, soft and naturally antimicrobial. What more could you want?

For this article we reviewed several popular bamboo sheet sets commonly available on Amazon. We analyzed 2,856 customer reviews and comments to bring you our picks for the best bamboo sheets of 2018.

Buying Guide

Our guide to bamboo sheet reviews

It might be time to ditch the old cotton sheets you've used for years and consider a new softer more natural upgrade. You may have heard about the superior benefits of bamboo bedding, however, you're likely unsure about what to look out for when buying a set.

We're here to help. We'll introduce you to the numerous benefits of bamboo bed sheets, compare alternatives and walk through the selection criteria we used to pick our top recommendations.

So, what are the benefits of bamboo sheets?

Where to begin. Let walk through the pros and cons of bamboo sheets.

They're eco-friendly - bamboo is naturally organic which prevents any harmful chemicals from developing in the fibres. They provide comfortable sleeping temperatures, and use moisture wicking to keep you warm on cold nights and cooler on hotter nights.

The bamboo fabric is also resistant to stains and mites, and the antimicrobial characteristics make the sheets healthier to sleep in.

Best of all, bamboo sheets are easy to clean, making them practical for any homeowner. And they can be washed with cold water - ensuring a perfect fit for your mattress. If they don't fit, you can wash them in hot water to shrink them to the right size (handy tip).

What to look for

There are several things you should look for when buying bamboo sheets.

Will they shrink? Usually, bamboo sheets are preshrunk before you buy them, but just in case, it worth checking to determine if the sheets will shrink after washing them.

Will they pull? Good quality bamboo sheets are twill-woven from cellulose, which builds up the strength of the fabric, and prevents tears in the sheets. The threads should be resistant to pilling, fraying or unravelling. If you follow the care instructions, they'll stay in a good condition for very long time.

All natural? Another thing to look for is whether the sheets are a blend or 100% bamboo. Of course, 100% bamboo sheets are more authentic, but they're also more comfortable than blended counterparts.

You should make sure the sheets can be tumble dried, handy if you're short on drying space. And if there's a warranty available from the retailer or manufacturer, then you know you’re on the right track.

Bamboo vs. cotton sheets

This all sounds great, but how do bamboo sheets compare to cotton ones?

Well, aside from the natural properties that make bamboo sheets antibacterial they also deodorize the air. Bamboo doesn’t need any pesticides or hormones to grow (and it grows super fast) making it good for the planet.

According to most sleepers, bamboo sheets are more comfortable to sleep in than cotton. The wicking properties of bamboo fabric allow the sheets to soak up more water than cotton. This wicking action will pull away any water away from your skin, evaporating it faster. The result: bamboo sheets are cooler the cotton in summer, but warmer in winter. Pretty neat ay?

Cotton is one of the most popular choices for bedding. As such, consumers are blessed with a large selection of brands and material weaves to choose from. However, Egyptian and Pima cotton, the standouts for soft cotton sheeting, can get expensive. And worst still, cotton can be difficult to clean.

Cotton sheets are certainly not the worst thing buy, though when compared to bamboo they look less desirable.

Our selection

There are dozens of bamboo brands on the market. And sadly, we don't have the resources to examine them all. For this review, we collected user feedback data on 13 popular bamboo sheet sets available on amazon.

We plotted each model on the chart below measuring the price for a queen set vs overall user ratings.

The models closest to the righthand side are considered better quality, while models lower on the graph are more affordable. The sweet spot (where we'll be focusing) is in the lower righthand quadrant - these models are both highly rated and affordable.

Fig 1. Bamboo Sheet Market Analysis (Price vs. Value)

After measuring each bamboo sheet brand against our selection criteria (shrinkage, pulling, blend percentage and warranty length) we settled on three recommendations: the Resorts Resource Group (best overall), the Resort by Cariloha (our luxury pick), the Zen Luxury set (best value). Two other sets worth considering we're from Oasis Fine Linens and Royal Hotel.

Resorts Resource Group

Best of the best

This 100% bamboo sheet set, from Resorts Resource Group is eco-friendly and easy to wash. The sheets are hypoallergenic and include a moisture weave wicking to keep you dry at night. We rated these sheets best in its class, and considering it has a 350-thread count, it is easy to see why.

Resorts Resource Group sheet set review

Highly durable, they're best compared to sheets you'd find in the hotel industry - but they are not as uncomfortable. The moisture will wick away from your skin, quickly evaporating, and preventing the sheets from holding excess moisture.

These bamboo sheets can be washed in a normal washing machine, and the more you wash them, the softer they will become (though, don't get to carried away).

The sheets don’t wrinkle up too much, making them perfect to take from the dryer straight to the bed. They dry out quickly, preventing too much heat from distorting the color or fabric. They also breathe well, making them comfortable to sleep with during the warmer months.

The fit for the sheets are excellent, fitting over thick mattresses with room left to spare. However, there are few minor complaints…

A few drawbacks

One complaint mentioned that the sheets were long enough, but not wide enough - causing them not to fit the mattress correctly. While others have had to first iron the sheets to make sure the they were completely flat before they put them on their beds.

Our verdict

Despite these minor issues, the Royal Hotel bamboo sheets are one of the top-rated sets on the market. They might not be perfect, but they are comfortable and affordable. Being 100% bamboo with a high thread count, these sheets are a solid purchase.

Resort by Cariloha

A luxurious upgrade

For high quality natural luxury, you can't go past the Resort Collection by Cariloha. Feel the soft sateen finish and see the durability with their box-stitch seam construction. And the best thing: if they're not what you hoped for, you can return hassle free with their lifetime warranty.

Resort by Cariloha bamboo sheets review

As you've heard bamboo is naturally breathable and moisture-wicking, helping to keep you up to three degrees cooler than cotton sheets, which makes a huge difference when you’re trying to sleep. Even during the warmer months, the sheets won’t trap your body heat, leaving you comfortable all year round.

The bamboo fabric naturally prevents skin irritations, which is ideal for those with any type of skin condition. Rest easy knowing bamboo has your back.

Available in a variety of stunning colors, each set comes with 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet and 2 pillowcases. Plus, their extra-deep-pocket construction means they'll easily fit any mattress up to 18 inches deep.

Customers rave: "the softest and most silky sheets I've ever owned..." And we agree. That's why, if you feel like treating yourself, they're our picks for the best luxury bamboo sheets.

A few drawbacks

In our review we noted a few customer complaints about the sheets (don't worry nothing too serious).

One customer noted that the sheets didn’t include any instructions on how to wash for the sheets. A lack of care instructions isn't a deal breaker, and under further inspection these sheets are completely machine washable.

Someone also stated that the sheets may be priced too high, but that's the price of luxury.

Our verdict

With a 92% customer satisfaction rating the Resort bamboo sheets from Cariloha certainly do appear to live up to their worth.

They're breathable, environmentally friendly and the 100% viscose from bamboo keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. A great buy.

Zen Luxury

The best value

Finding value is not impossible - you just need to know where to look.

Luckily, we've done the searching for you, and according to our analysis you need not look any further than the bamboo sheet set from Zen Luxury.

Zen Luxury bamboo sheet set review

Positioned conveniently at the intersection of affordability and quality, the bamboo bed sheets from Zen Luxury deliver the best 'bang for your buck' out of all the pair we looked at.

Made from combination of bamboo and brushed microfiber, they're more durable than cotton, resistant to stains and naturally hypoallergenic. And like standard sheets you can simply put them in the wash like normal.

While they're not 100% bamboo, every set sold comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, allowing for a risk-free trial.

Being bamboo the sheets breathe easily, a good option when you’re trying to sleep in warner temperatures. And they won’t shrink after you’ve washed them.

A few drawbacks

Not every set of sheets will be perfect, especially when shopping in the low price brackets.

With that said, in our review we noticed that a few people found the sheets to have loose threads along the hem. A couple of people also mentioned that the sheets seemed hotter compared to 100% bamboo sheets.

Our verdict

While these sheets probably won't feel exactly like bamboo, according to buyer comments they're comfortable, durable and soft to the touch. If you’re on a budget, and looking for some bamboo sheets, the Zen Luxury sheets are your best option.